Other Music means so much to so many. Its place in history, be it personal or that of music itself, is unquestionable. Today is the last day before Other Music permanently shutters its doors. Dead Oceans co-founder, Phil Waldorf, spent many years behind the counter at this New York institution and wanted to share his personal history with the store:

I once worked at the best record store in the world. New York’s Other Music stoked my passion for sharing new and exciting music with customers, coworkers and friends, and planted the seed for me to want to run a record label. I am totally heartbroken that after 20 years, Other Music is closing.

Other Music was the first job I had when I moved to New York City, back in an era before iTunes and iPhones and streaming music. I worked there until the day I left New York City, and it informed so much of who I am today. Working there fed my passion for music and inspired an entrepreneurial spirit I never knew I had. I met my future business partners in Dead Oceans when I worked there. I met my wife there. Needless to say, my life would be very different without Other Music.

I owe a tremendous amount to Chris and Josh, co-owners of Other Music, and I feel lucky that they remain friends and mentors. Other Music’s passionate focus on new music discovery might never be replicated, and as an industry and as record buyers, we’re worse off in a world without it. I feel endlessly lucky to have spent time there, and the least I can do is say thank you for everything. It was an incredible run. Other Music Forever, indeed.

We’re over the moon to announce that Japanese Breakfast has signed to Dead Oceans. On August 19th, we will be releasing the critically acclaimed Psychopomp outside of North America. Today Japanese Breakfast has shared a video for “Jane Cum” off Psychopomp. Rookie, who premiered the House of Nod produced “Jane Cum” video, are saying it’s “sometimes light as a feather, other times dark as night.”

Since Psychopomp was released in America in March by Yellow K, it’s become one of the year’s most beloved indie-pop records, receiving plaudits from the likes of Pitchfork, NPR and FACT.

The record is acutely tactile and raw. It’s this skill that Michelle Zauner learned while playing in a number of bands but has honed for Japanese Breakfast. Perhaps it’s to do with the inherent connectivity that links all pop music together, or perhaps it’s the fact that the album is incredibly personal (it deals with her mother’s death, who is the woman in the album art work) and explores life’s inherent juxtapositions – life, death; love, pain; the present, the afterlife – while realizing that those things aren’t binary at all.

The Jungian term “psychopomp” would become so fundamental to exploring tangled ways of the world and beyond, that it became the title of the album.

Psychopomp: ‘the mediator between the conscious and the unconscious’, ‘a mythological guide to the afterlife who forgoes judgment on the life of its charge.’ The album is such a spiritual exploration that it becomes deeper and perhaps less fatalistic than what we’ve been taught about life and what it means to live.

“It’s been really overwhelming the amount of support, the people that have come up to me saying they’ve lost a parent, or how many mixed race girls that come up to me and feel so connected to what I do. Honestly that makes me feel like my work is worthwhile.”

Japanese Breakfast is currently on tour in the US with Mitski and Jay Som. On August 19th, Dead Oceans will release Psychopomp outside of Northern America which will coincide with Japanese Breakfast’s debut UK performances. Full dates & pre-order links listed below.

“’Puberty 2’ is purple like a new bruise . . . There’s more variety in her singing, which moves from aggrieved to sultry to resigned. And there’s more ambition in the music, which doubles down on grit while also rounding things out with a buffer of soul.” – The New York Times

“These 11 tracks creep up on you, as her coiled melodies suddenly explode into cavernous freak-outs or build to a crescendo of unbearable catharsis.” — NPR Music

“No one else can make shattering sound like such an act of strength. “ – Stereogum

Anticipation is a key component of happiness. The not-yet-having of something only strengthens your resolve to hold out a little longer, to make space for it in your life. Well here we are, the day’s finally arrived. Mitski’s debut record for Dead Oceans, Puberty 2, is out worldwide today.

It’s already being heralded as one of the best albums of the year thus far by Stereogum (#3) and Brooklyn Magazine (#1). With the likes of The New Yorker, NPR Music, and Dazed joining the well-deserved chorus of praise. Not to mention, last Sunday’s The New York Timeswent deep on the album.

Puberty 2 is an indelible collection of songs crafted thoughtfully from memories and details (whose size & importance shift depending on the eye of the beholder). These are important pieces of writing that process being alive and being in love – or just being at all. We are so proud to be able to share this in full with you today. Read the rest of this entry »

Anyone who has seen Marlon Williams live can attest New Zealand’s rising star has something truly special going on with his spectacular voice and stage presence. He’s previously captivated audiences performing on Ireland’s The Late Late Show, Later…with Jools Holland, and at the New Zealand Music Awards where he won Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Male Solo Artist. Last night on CONAN, Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders delivered a terrific stateside late night television debut, performing “Hello Miss Lonesome.” How often do you hear the crowd cheer mid-song?! Read the rest of this entry »